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From enabling life-saving emergency texts to powering apps where no cell tower can reach, T-Satellite is bringing next-level connection for millions. Just six months since launch, the nation’s first direct-to-cell satellite service delivering data to everyday consumers is proving its impact. Here’s how it’s doing and why it matters.

Inspiration pushes us beyond the horizon. Innovation carries us even further — to the skies, revealing a whole new world of possibility. A world where staying connected with loved ones becomes limitless.

Somewhere deep in the Rocky Mountains, a mom sends a “made it!” text with a photo to her kids to let them know she safely arrived at a trailhead. In rural Texas, a dad shoots off a WhatsApp voice memo from a remote jobsite to tell his family he misses them but will be home soon. During the California wildfires, those in danger and dire need of help still receive life-saving emergency alerts even though local cell towers are down.

The phone they use? If you have a popular smartphone from the last four years, then it is  likely the same one you have in your pocket right now.

It’s the network that’s different.

No matter how far off the beaten track you are, T-Satellite with Starlink is delivering next-level connectivity for more than 150,000 Americans every day, in places where coverage was never thought possible. It’s a first-of-its-kind technology quite literally placed into the hands of customers in record time — and now it’s even powering data on 34 apps, so you can depend on things like WhatsApp, Google Maps and AllTrails to keep you and your loved ones safe while hiking, mountain biking or exploring other places your adventures take you.

Go for Launch

Back in 2022, when T-Mobile and SpaceX first announced their plan to bring satellite connectivity to regular smartphones, one YouTube commenter summed up the moment better than any headline:

“Why do I have a feeling this is the first step to a huge thing in telecommunications and cellphones that we don’t necessarily realize yet?”

The decision to create a direct-to-cell service using hundreds of Starlink’s low-orbit satellites marked a giant leap forward in T-Mobile’s ultimate vision: redefining what connectivity means by keeping people connected, even across the 500,000 square miles of the U.S. where traditional cell towers can’t reach.

As T-Mobile’s then CEO Mike Sievert put it at the time, “The biggest dead zone buster ever.”

Fast forward to 2025, when a troop of seven Girl Scouts and their leaders set off on an overnight wilderness hike. Quickly, that fun adventure took a turn for the worse when one girl fell into a canyon and hit her head, losing consciousness.

Thankfully, because of T-Satellite, one of the group members was able to text 911, changing a rescue operation that could have taken days to one of a few minutes  — and that dead zone buster into a lifesaver.

Since the service launched, millions of messages have been sent and automatically received, showing that people outside dead zones can still reach T-Satellite users and that T-Satellite users can get messages out when it matters most.

Dynamic Kickoff

As stars like Taylor Swift and Bradley Cooper took to their swank suites, the other 128 million of us tuning in at home for the annual Big Game last February took in a spectacle that rivaled the halftime show.

T-Mobile unveiled its now-iconic ad announcing something unheard of: an opportunity to test out free satellite connectivity for everyone, on the compatible phone they already owned. Oh yeah, even for AT&T and Verizon customers.

The spot didn’t just break through, it blew up. The ad drove 12.6 times more engagement than the average Big Game commercial, and nearly 2 million people signed up for the T-Satellite beta, including tens of thousands of customers with AT&T and Verizon.

Suddenly, the promise of T-Satellite was real. Over 1 million messages were being sent in national parks, on backroads and in remote corners of the country where traditional coverage used to vanish. From hikers on the Appalachian Trail to a family living on the backroads in Oklahoma, the satellite connectivity didn’t just work. It worked automatically. In fact, T-Satellite delivered three times more incoming messages than people sent because it automatically connects, even when they didn’t know they were off the grid.

“We believed the real value of satellite wasn’t just emergency access — it was everyday access,” said Mike Katz, T-Mobile’s Chief Business and Product Officer. In June of 2025, T-Mobile officially became America’s Best Network, and CEO Srini Gopalan, then Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the company’s plan to keep pushing forward.

“T-Mobile’s network is about two years ahead of Verizon and AT&T,” Gopalan said, “and that lead is only going to expand.”

Because, for other wireless providers, the sky may be the limit. But for T-Mobile, it’s just the beginning of a whole new era.

In July 2025, T-Satellite officially launched, and was immediately available on most modern smartphones.

To showcase T-Satellite’s heavenly capabilities, YouTuber and former NASA engineer Mark Rober teamed up with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin for an off-the-grid adventure through the North Cascades, a vast alpine wilderness miles beyond T-Mobile’s headquarters in Bellevue, Washington. Its rugged terrain made it virtually impossible to receive a cell signal before T-Satellite.

The video documenting the journey racked up more than 6 million views, as people watched in real time how a regular smartphone could still connect in one of the most remote places in America. In a recent follow-up interview, Chin said he was “stoked” when he first heard about T-Satellite, saying it’s a game-changer poised to revolutionize the way he works by allowing him to push farther into wild, remote places while staying safe, connected and able to keep in touch with those dearest to him along the way: “Being able to talk to my kids is really important to me.”

“T-Satellite is more than a product — it’s a promise fulfilled,” said John Saw, T-Mobile’s President of Technology and Chief Technology Officer. “After six months in beta with nearly 2 million users on board, T-Satellite was already delivering real value for people in hard-to-reach places,” as Chin and Rober attested, “and this is just the beginning. We’ve hit the next level in our efforts to eliminate mobile dead zones.”

Rapid Response

Sometimes the most powerful technology isn’t the kind you notice. Sometimes it’s the kind that’s just there when it matters most.

That’s what T-Satellite became in its early days of beta: not just a new product, but a lifeline. The Federal Communications Commision (FCC) approved the service for emergency use during Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the fall of 2024 and again during the California wildfires in early 2025. With networks down, T-Satellite delivered over half a million messages that otherwise would never have gone through.

In the middle of a flood. On the edge of a wildfire. Deep in the backcountry. It was there — helping people stay connected when traditional networks couldn’t.

“Believing in an idea is one thing,” said Katz. “Seeing it make a difference in real lives is another.”

For T-Mobile’s Emergency Response teams, that mission is deeply personal. When driving into disaster zones, carrying essential gear where towers are down or power is out, they say these tools let them act faster than ever.

“I’ve supported recovery efforts in the Carolinas and the LA wildfires, and I’m proud to work for a company helping people stay connected when it counts most,” said Luis Reyes, Vice President of Field Engineering for the West Region.

T-Mobile’s field teams now deploy with AI-powered cell towers, drones, Wi-Fi trailers and charging stations. They also have state-of-the-art satellite trucks that can provide instant connectivity.

With up to 30,000 daily T-Satellite users during the beta test period, the headlines wowed, but the most powerful proof came from people in need. During wildfires and hurricanes, over 1 million people connected through T-Satellite with over 650,000 SMS messages and more than 200 Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) sent to all eligible devices, regardless of primary carrier.

T-Satellite During the Moments When It Matters Most

• In the Los Angeles wildfires last year alone, over 410,000 people were able to communicate with loved ones thanks to more than 250,000 messages and 157 emergency alerts delivered.
• In the Texas floods in 2025, nearly 94,000 people connected and exchanged 287,000 texts while 125 emergency alerts were also delivered.
• During the 2025 Oregon wildfires, 6,800 people were able to connect thanks to more than 24,000 SMS messages and seven emergency alerts via T-Satellite.

Behind these numbers are real moments — firefighters sharing location pins with crews, families receiving alerts to evacuate, people in their most vulnerable moments reaching out for help.

The company also announced in addition to its text-to-911 services available via terrestrial cell towers, it’s taken its text-to-911 feature built within T-Satellite and made it available — for free with a simple signup — to any person with a satellite-compatible smartphone. Quite simply, T-Mobile has made sure 911 access is available to as many people as possible nearly anywhere in the 500,000 square miles of the U.S. if they have a view of the sky.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all in disaster recovery,” said Stacy Tindell, T-Mobile’s Senior Director of National Operations. “You need a lot of different tools in the kit to respond and satellite has been a game-changer.”

From Beta to Data (There’s an App for That)

As of last October, T-Satellite isn’t just delivering messages — it’s powering data for optimized satellite apps that help people navigate, share, explore and stay informed. Whether you’re miles into the mountains, off-grid in the desert or caught in a coverage gap during a storm, essential apps can be used.

Now people can live, work, explore and stay safe in places where traditional connection used to vanish. The service works on hundreds of smartphones and dozens of apps like WhatsApp, AllTrails, AccuWeather, Google Maps, T-Life, X and others that have been optimized for satellite, and there are no extra steps. No setup. No pointing your phone at the sky. Just open your app — and go.

“We’ve got the most towers, the best spectrum and the most advanced network technology,” Gopalan explained. “This is how we’re transforming what it means to be connected — and we won’t stop building, innovating and pushing the boundaries of what wireless can be.”

The Future of Data-driven Decisions

So now, think back to that troop of seven Girl Scouts and their leaders. Did their story end in a successful rescue with T-Satellite’s help? Yes. But more importantly, will they be ready to head back into the wilderness they love? Absolutely. Because now, they won’t just have a lifeline. They will have access to satellite-powered tools to plan their route, share their location and stay connected every step of the way, all on the phones already in their pockets.

Wherever the adventure takes you, if you can see the sky, you’re connected. And that changes everything.

Learn more about T-Satellite.

January 22, 2026 /3BL/ – Medtronic, a global leader in healthcare technology, announced verification study results for its investigational Nellcor™ pulse oximetry with Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor at the Society for Technology in Anesthesia (STA) Annual Meeting.

The company successfully completed pivotal clinical studies for its new Nellcor™ pulse oximetry technology. Initial data show that the investigational Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor technology, when paired with a set of market-released sensors representative of the Nellcor™ pulse oximetry sensor line, demonstrated SpO₂ accuracy better than the FDA’s draft-recommended¹ threshold. Additionally, pulse rate accuracy was within Nellcor™ technology acceptance limits. These results were observed in a sample inclusive of the full range of skin tones.

Pulse oximetry accuracy has historically varied across skin tones, raising concerns about technology that works for all patients. The investigational Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor technology reflects ongoing efforts of Medtronic to deliver its Nellcor™ technology’s consistent SpO₂ and pulse rate accuracy across all skin tones. The company’s commitment to getting it right — for every patient — is why Medtronic opened a clinical physiology lab near the Five Points neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. As a result of their extensive community outreach efforts, Medtronic has conducted its clinical studies not only with a diverse array of participants but with greater speed and frequency, leading to faster innovation.

Previously granted FDA Safer Technologies Program (STeP) designation, the company’s investigational Nellcor™ pulse oximetry with Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor is currently under 510(k) review, marking an important regulatory milestone in efforts by Medtronic to bring this innovation to market.†

“Today’s verification study results demonstrate accuracy across various skin tones, meeting and exceeding both the current U.S. FDA guidance and newer, more-inclusive draft guidance,” said Dr. Randall Clark, principal investigator of the Medtronic clinical physiology lab. “Seeing such positive outcomes with the investigational Nellcor™ pulse oximetry technology, paired with Nellcor™ sensors, marks an important step toward advancing medical-grade pulse oximetry that works for every patient.”

The verification studies were conducted in consideration of the evolving regulatory guidance¹ and global standards expectations on pulse oximeters for medical purposes, which recommends accuracy testing across the full spectrum of skin tones and maintaining the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) for SpO₂ accuracy within 3%, regardless of sensor type.

Key findings:

• Study design: Three controlled hypoxia studies with 71 participants (ages 20–46) representing diverse skin tones across Monk Skin Tone (MST) cohorts:
  • Light (MST 1–4): 32 participants (45.1%)
  • Medium (MST 5–7): 19 participants (26.8%)
  • Dark (MST 8–10): 20 participants (28.2%)
• SpO₂ accuracy: Investigational Nellcor™ pulse oximetry with Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor paired with Nellcor™ sensors demonstrated SpO₂ RMS accuracy ranging from 1.33% (upper 95% CI: 1.48%) to 1.69% (upper 95% CI: 1.93%), outperforming the FDA draft guidance threshold of 3%.
• Pulse rate accuracy: RMS accuracy remained within 2 bpm, meeting the Nellcor™ technology acceptance criterion of 3 bpm.

“Medtronic is leading the way for pulse oximetry technology that aims to deliver accuracy and inclusivity for every patient, every time,” said Dr. Jeb Denny, chief medical officer of the Medtronic Acute Care & Monitoring business, which is part of the company’s Medical Surgical Portfolio. “Our leadership in this space reflects a commitment to advancing standards that represent all patients and empowering clinicians with world-class technology to deliver safe, equitable care for every patient, in every setting.”

The findings were presented by Medtronic at STA 2026, with Dr. David MacLeod, anesthesiologist at Duke University Hospital in North Carolina, as the healthcare professional author on the abstract.

Learn more about equitable monitoring and the company’s commitment to patient safety at health equity in pulse oximetry monitoring and on Medtronic Academy.

† STeP designation applies to future product candidates. Nellcor™ technology in the scope of the STeP application is 510(k) pending. It is not approved or cleared by the FDA and not available for sale in the U.S. Inclusion in STeP does not guarantee approval, clearance, or granting of future marketing submissions.

Acute Care and Monitoring products should not be used as the sole basis for diagnosis or therapy and are intended only as an adjunct in patient assessment. Note: Oxygen saturation accuracy can be affected by certain environmental, equipment, and patient physiologic conditions that influence readings of SpO2.

References

1. Pulse Oximeters for Medical Purposes – Non-Clinical and Clinical Performance Testing, Labeling, and Premarket Submission Recommendations – Draft Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff. 2025.

About Medtronic
Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Galway, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic, visit medtronic.com and follow Medtronic on LinkedIn.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic’s periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Contacts
Amanda Bartschenfeld
Communications
amanda.k.bartschenfeld@medtronic.com

Ingrid Goldberg
Investor Relations
investor.relations@medtronic.com

Chemours’ New Johnsonville titanium dioxide (TiO₂) manufacturing site in Tennessee has achieved Silver Level status in the Tennessee Veteran Ready Business Recognition Program, an honor awarded by the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services. The designation recognizes businesses that actively recruit, hire, and retain service members, veterans, and their families.

Silver Level businesses are considered leaders in advancing Tennessee’s transition from being “Veteran Friendly” to “Veteran Ready.” Through this recognition, the Department of Veterans Services will continue partnering with the site to provide resources and collaboration opportunities that strengthen veteran-focused initiatives.

“We’re honored to receive Silver Level recognition from the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services,” said Amanda Smith, New Johnsonville Plant Manager. “This achievement reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where all employees, including service members and veterans, feel valued and supported. Their skills and experiences strengthen our team and help drive our success.”

The New Johnsonville site employs nearly 500 full-time employees and approximately 350 contractors. As the second-largest employer in Humphreys County and one of the largest industrial employers in the Tennessee Valley, the site continues to demonstrate its dedication to workforce diversity and community engagement.

With a legacy of nearly 100 years of innovation, Chemours Ti-Pure™ TiO₂ remains a trusted partner to customers around the globe. Through quality products, reliable supply, and expert service, the team helps meet evolving market needs while delivering the consistency and performance customers expect.

Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News

by Kitty Broihier

The updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) was recently released—a highly anticipated event for many. Dietitians like me, of course, along with people who work in school nutrition, public health and the food retailing world. Why is this a big deal? Because the DGAs help shape major US food and nutrition programs and policies and therefore have a big influence on nutrition in our country. For example, they inform funding priorities for nutrition and health research topics, and help determine food labeling regulations. They also affect decisions about which foods are offered to our school children and military members, and much more. In other words, you may not read the guidelines or choose to follow them personally, but there’s a good chance that they impact you.

The DGA are required by law to reflect up-to-date science and be revised every 5 years. The graphic that accompanies them is also sometimes revised. Since the nature of science is that it’s always changing, it’s expected that the guidelines will change over time. And it’s not unusual for the DGAs to be controversial. For example, experts (including many dietitians) are questioning some of the new recommendations, since they contradict current accepted science and nutritional principles. In fact, the new DGAs deviate dramatically from the 2025 Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, whose charge is to review the science and make recommendations for the new edition of DGAs.

I’ve written about various editions of the Dietary Guidelines previously. Just like those earlier posts, it’s impossible to do a deep dive into the DGAs in one blog post. However, here are some key takeaways.

New Recommendation: Avoid “Highly Processed Foods”

This is the first time the DGAs use this phrase in an overt recommendation. Given the lack of agreement on how to define “highly processed foods,” this one might be a little tricky for consumers to put into practice. Eating fewer highly processed food items is not a new concept in nutrition—nor is it new to the DGAs. In fact, the guidelines always encourage reliance on whole foods as the basis of a healthy diet. So the current DGAs’ frequent use of the phrase “real food” is really just marketing-speak, not a shift.

Past versions of the guidelines emphasized eating more whole foods and avoiding specific ingredients associated with highly processed foods, including added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and sodium. In essence, it’s the same recommendation—just stated differently. The new DGAs also suggest limiting consumption of artificial flavors, certain food dyes, artificial preservatives, and low- or no-calorie sweeteners. Guiding Stars addresses food ingredients contained in highly processed foods, such as artificial colors and non-nutritive sweeteners, in our “Additives to Limit” debit.

New Recommendation: Eat More Protein

The guidelines now call for a protein intake of 1.2-1.6 grams per kilogram body weight, which is roughly twice the level previously recommended. While protein is important, there’s no evidence that there is a “war on protein” in this country. (In fact, I’d venture to say it’s quite the opposite judging by new product introductions and social media coverage.) There are some population groups, such as teenage females and older adults, that could certainly benefit from getting more protein. It is an important macronutrient, but protein deficiency in the U.S. is extremely rare.

What’s more, the previous edition of the DGAs (and the MyPlate graphic) had a general plant-forward approach. This version, however, is decidedly pro-animal protein. The messaging in the guidelines acknowledges the role that plant-based proteins can play in nourishment, but it doesn’t exactly match with the primary positioning of animal foods in the accompanying upside-down pyramid graphic. People can meet protein needs with plant foods as well as animal foods, and we know that plant foods are more environmentally sustainable (and they stretch your grocery dollars too!). Relying on larger amounts of fatty animal proteins can also make it difficult to adhere to the recommended saturated fat limit, which remains the same as before—less than 10% of daily calories.

New Recommendation: Consume Full-Fat Dairy

Dairy products are nutrient-dense and the new guidelines recommend three servings per day, just like the previous version. What’s different is the large emphasis on consuming full-fat dairy products. There is some scientific data showing limited differences between low-/no-fat dairy and full-fat dairy on cardiovascular disease risk. But the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee didn’t find it impactful enough to warrant any changes to the usual recommendation for low-/no-fat dairy.

The administration chose to ignore their decision, however. Whole milk and full-fat dairy now have extra call-outs in both the graphic and the guidelines themselves. The DGAs are encouraging full-fat dairy for everyone at every age. They are also suggesting that people watch their calorie intake and keep saturated fat to less than 10% of total calories, which places responsibility on the individual consumer.

What Else Is New?

Some of the other new additions to the DGAs are laudable, including:

• Suggestion to consume fermented foods, which promotes gut health.
   
• Suggestion to limit added sugar, and avoid completely for kids up to age 10. In the previous edition, this was up to age 2. The guidelines provide some specific targets: less than 10 grams of added sugar per meal, less than 5 grams per grain-based snack, and 2.5 grams per dairy-based snack. This results in essentially the same overall gram recommendation for added sugars as the previous DGAs (less than 50 grams daily for ages 10 and up).

Established nutrition science isn’t as supportive of other new suggestions in the guidelines, including:

• Suggestion to cook with butter and beef tallow, which contain high amounts of saturated fat, conflicting with strong evidence that unsaturated fats are healthier for the heart and arteries.
   
• Loosening of the alcohol intake guideline. Alcohol is a toxin and has many adverse health effects. Previous guidelines recommended a maximum number of drinks per day (no more than two for men and one for women). The new version just says “consume less alcohol,” leaving it up to the consumer to define “less.”

What Is the Same?

Many of the food consumption recommendations are the same as they were in the last version, including things like:

• A focus on nutrient density
   
• Being aware of portion sizes and eating an appropriate amount of food for your needs
   
• Limiting refined carbohydrates and emphasizing whole grains
   
• The general amount of dairy, fruits, and vegetables, although these are now in “servings” instead of cup measures
   
• The suggested upper-level intakes on sodium and saturated fat

Now that the DGAs have been released, the Guiding Stars Scientific Advisory Panel has initiated their standard process of review and will advise on updates to the algorithms if needed.

About Guiding Stars

Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.

Image from DietaryGuidelines.gov
 

EMERYVILLE, Calif., January 22, 2026 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services (SCS) and the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) announce the inclusion of a new testing requirement for Assure Certified® certification under the updated SCS-111 version 2.0 Certification Standard for Rigid Core Resilient Flooring. The newly added requirement is testing to ASTM F3781 – Standard Test Method for Measurement of the Fracture Resistance of a Modular Resilient Flooring’s Profiled Edge(s) to an Applied Vertical Force. Testing must be completed by an independent laboratory.

This additional performance criteria, based on an objective test method, provides customers with an added level of confidence in product performance. It further strengthens an already strong and meaningful multi-attribute certification for Rigid Core Resilient flooring that also includes evaluating indoor air quality, rigorous performance testing for composition, size tolerance, product thickness, wear-layer thickness, as well as testing for heavy metals and ortho-phthalates content.

The Standard and associated certification label (Assure Certified®) were first introduced by SCS Global Services for the RFCI in January of 2020. SCS-111 builds upon the well-established FloorScore® program by incorporating additional performance criteria.

“Assure Certified, underpinned by the SCS-111 version 2.0 standard provides customers heightened confidence in key elements of Rigid Core Resilient flooring products, supporting the growth of this rapidly expanding market,” states Victoria Norman, Executive Director, SCS Standards and Assurance Systems.

“The addition of this new testing method further improves the robust nature of Assure Certified,” states Bill Blackstock, President and CEO of RFCI. “Simply put, this multi-attribute certification, which includes on-site audits of the manufacturing facilities, delivers meaningful perspective on a number of fronts to consumers of Rigid Core Resilient flooring.”

To download a copy of the standard, please visit the SCS Standards Website: Certification Standard for Rigid Core Vinyl Flooring | SCS Standards

For Assure Certified Certification Services, please visit the SCS Global Services Website: ASSURE CERTIFIED™ | SCS Global Services

About SCS Global Services 

SCS Global Services is an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating over 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of

the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

About RFCI

The Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI), based in LaGrange, GA, is the resilient flooring industry’s association that provides support for a network of global resilient flooring manufacturers and companies in the supply chain. The mission of RFCI is to enhance the long-term growth and well-being of the North American resilient floor covering industry. RFCI’s goals include embracing key strategic industry issues, engaging federal and state government agencies in policy discussions, developing meaningful certification programs that are valued by all parties, contributing to technical considerations, and promoting the resilient flooring category. www.rfci.com

Press Contacts:

SCS Global Services:

Rachel Barnhart

RBarnhart@scsglobalservices.com

EMERYVILLE, Calif., January 22, 2026 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services (SCS) and the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) announce the inclusion of a new testing requirement for Assure Certified® certification under the updated SCS-111 version 2.0 Certification Standard for Rigid Core Resilient Flooring. The newly added requirement is testing to ASTM F3781 – Standard Test Method for Measurement of the Fracture Resistance of a Modular Resilient Flooring’s Profiled Edge(s) to an Applied Vertical Force. Testing must be completed by an independent laboratory.

This additional performance criteria, based on an objective test method, provides customers with an added level of confidence in product performance. It further strengthens an already strong and meaningful multi-attribute certification for Rigid Core Resilient flooring that also includes evaluating indoor air quality, rigorous performance testing for composition, size tolerance, product thickness, wear-layer thickness, as well as testing for heavy metals and ortho-phthalates content.

The Standard and associated certification label (Assure Certified®) were first introduced by SCS Global Services for the RFCI in January of 2020. SCS-111 builds upon the well-established FloorScore® program by incorporating additional performance criteria.

“Assure Certified, underpinned by the SCS-111 version 2.0 standard provides customers heightened confidence in key elements of Rigid Core Resilient flooring products, supporting the growth of this rapidly expanding market,” states Victoria Norman, Executive Director, SCS Standards and Assurance Systems.

“The addition of this new testing method further improves the robust nature of Assure Certified,” states Bill Blackstock, President and CEO of RFCI. “Simply put, this multi-attribute certification, which includes on-site audits of the manufacturing facilities, delivers meaningful perspective on a number of fronts to consumers of Rigid Core Resilient flooring.”

To download a copy of the standard, please visit the SCS Standards Website: Certification Standard for Rigid Core Vinyl Flooring | SCS Standards

For Assure Certified Certification Services, please visit the SCS Global Services Website: ASSURE CERTIFIED™ | SCS Global Services

About SCS Global Services 

SCS Global Services is an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating over 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of

the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

About RFCI

The Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI), based in LaGrange, GA, is the resilient flooring industry’s association that provides support for a network of global resilient flooring manufacturers and companies in the supply chain. The mission of RFCI is to enhance the long-term growth and well-being of the North American resilient floor covering industry. RFCI’s goals include embracing key strategic industry issues, engaging federal and state government agencies in policy discussions, developing meaningful certification programs that are valued by all parties, contributing to technical considerations, and promoting the resilient flooring category. www.rfci.com

Press Contacts:

SCS Global Services:

Rachel Barnhart

RBarnhart@scsglobalservices.com

January 22, 2026 /3BL/ – Trane® – by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator, has been named America’s Most Trusted^® HVAC Brand for the 12th consecutive year by Lifestory Research.

The 2026 Lifestory Research America’s Most Trusted Study surveyed 12,328 consumers nationwide between January and December 2025 to identify the most trusted HVAC brand. Trane achieved the highest Net Trust Quotient score (113.7) among top HVAC brands and also was ranked the #2 5-star Thermostat Brand in America’s Most Trusted Study for the sixth consecutive year.

“Being named America’s Most Trusted HVAC brand for the 12th consecutive year speaks to the enduring confidence homeowners place in Trane,” said Mark Majocha, President of Residential HVAC at Trane Technologies. “This recognition reinforces our commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and delivering dependable, sustainable solutions that make a real difference in everyday comfort. We remain focused on advancing energy efficiency and environmental stewardship while ensuring comfort and peace of mind for generations to come.”

Founded over a decade ago, Lifestory Research’s America’s Most Trusted® study provides valuable insights about consumer trust based on people’s honest opinions and experiences over the course of 12 months. Brand trust is measured using the Lifestory Research Net Trust Quotient, where a score of 100 represents the average for all brands included. To be considered for this accolade, brands must achieve sufficient survey responses for a 95% confidence level and a margin of error no greater than 3%. Confidence level results are then compared to peer organizations of comparable size and complexity.

“For twelve consecutive years, Trane has earned and upheld the confidence of homeowners nationwide,” said Eric Snider, President of Lifestory Research. “When consumers invest in an HVAC system, they look for proven performance and long-term reliability. Trane’s ability to consistently deliver on those expectations has resulted in enduring trust and top confidence ratings.”

Trane Technologies continues to lead the industry through its 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including the Gigaton Challenge – its pledge to help customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one billion metric tons – and its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The company first established science-based climate commitments in 2014 and surpassed its 2020 targets two years ahead of schedule. Trane Technologies remains the first HVAC manufacturer to have both near-and long-term emissions reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

About Trane
Trane – by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator – creates comfortable, energy efficient indoor environments for commercial and residential applications. For more information, please visit www.trane.com or www.tranetechnologies.com.

With nearly 40% of carbon emissions coming from the built environment, the construction industry is building and renovating more and more sustainably. With innovative solutions and new construction methods, we have a whole new vocabulary that this podcast is going to decipher for you!

A bill of materials, or BOM for short, is a list of all the materials needed to produce an end product – which includes buildings! It’s a tool that can prove especially useful for calculating a more accurate ecological footprint for buildings – and hopefully shrink that footprint as much as possible.

Listen here, B… for Bill of Materials, a Saint-Gobain Podcast

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
More than 161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

Cummins

If you’re interested in ensuring critical systems stay powered and industries keep running, a career as a power generation technician offers hands-on work, problem-solving and the satisfaction of making a real impact. At Cummins we provide training, certifications and career development opportunities to help technicians succeed in this vital field.

What a Day in the Life of a Power Generation Technician Looks Like

Power generation technicians are responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing generators and power systems in a variety of settings. No two days are the same and the role requires both technical skill and adaptability. A typical day might include:

• Morning preparation: Reviewing work orders, gathering tools and replacement parts and planning routes to job sites
• On-site inspections: Arriving at hospitals, data centers or industrial facilities to check generators, engines and electrical systems
• Troubleshooting and repairs: Diagnosing mechanical or electrical issues using diagnostic software and hands-on techniques then repairing or replacing faulty components
• System testing: Running load tests, checking backup power systems and ensuring compliance with safety and emissions standards
• Customer communication: Explaining technical issues and solutions clearly to operators or facility managers to ensure proper system operation
• Multiple service calls: Traveling between sites to maintain multiple generators or systems in a single day
• End-of-day reporting: Documenting completed work, noting parts used and updating service logs for the next day

A power generation technician may start the week working on a hospital generator, troubleshoot an industrial backup system midweek and finish with preventive maintenance on a data center system. The variety and responsibility make the role both challenging and rewarding.

Skills Required to Succeed

To excel in this field, technicians need a combination of technical expertise and problem-solving ability:

• Mechanical and electrical knowledge: Understanding engines, alternators and control systems
• Diagnostic skills: Quickly identifying and resolving system issues
• Attention to detail: Ensuring all work meets safety and regulatory standards
• Communication: Clearly explaining repairs and maintenance plans to clients
• Adaptability: Managing multiple sites and unexpected equipment challenges

Steps to Becoming a Power Generation Technician

Step 1: Complete High School or GED
Focus on math, physics and technology courses to build a strong foundation.

Step 2: Enroll in a Technical Training Program
Trade schools and community colleges offer programs in engines, electrical systems and power generation. Hands-on labs and fieldwork are essential for real-world readiness.

Step 3: Gain Practical Experience
Internships or apprenticeships provide exposure to on-site troubleshooting and maintenance. Cummins partners with programs to give students valuable field experience.

Step 4: Obtain Certifications
Certifications from ASE, NFPA or manufacturers demonstrate expertise and open career opportunities.

Step 5: Continue Learning
Technology evolves quickly. Training in hybrid systems, renewable integration and advanced diagnostics ensures your skills stay relevant.

Choosing the Right Training Program

When selecting a program, look for:

• Accreditation from recognized industry organizations
• Comprehensive curriculum covering mechanical and electrical systems
• Hands-on training in real-world environments
• Partnerships with employers like Cummins for field experience

Career Opportunities

Power generation technicians are in demand across healthcare, data centers, industrial facilities and manufacturing. Career growth includes:

• Specialization in hybrid or renewable systems
• Leadership roles such as service manager or lead technician
• Technical trainer or consulting positions

Start Your Power Generation Technician Career

If you’re looking for a career with variety, hands-on problem-solving and the satisfaction of supporting critical infrastructure, becoming a power generation technician is an excellent choice. With the right training, certifications and support from Cummins, you’ll be prepared to thrive in this essential and rewarding field.

Across the global logistics industry, inclusion is increasingly recognized as a business imperative — not just a social one. DP World, through its operations at Terminales Río de la Plata (TRP) in Buenos Aires, is working with Yusen Logistics Argentina to translate that principle into tangible, on-the-ground change within one of the most traditionally male-dominated sectors: ports and heavy transport.

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for women across operational, technical, and leadership roles, while addressing the structural barriers that have historically limited participation in the sector.

Rather than focusing solely on policy, the initiative is centered on practical improvements that enable women to enter, remain, and advance within the logistics value chain.

Inclusion That Extends Beyond the Workplace

For women working in heavy transport, access to safe, functional infrastructure is often a barrier to participation. Recognizing this, DP World and Yusen Logistics collaborated to adapt port facilities at the Buenos Aires terminal to better serve female truck drivers entering the site.

Improvements included refurbishing bathrooms, offices, and operational spaces to create safer, more comfortable, and more inclusive conditions. These changes underscore a critical reality across the logistics industry: inclusion must be supported by physical environments and operating conditions that reflect the needs of a more diverse workforce.

By investing in infrastructure alongside workforce initiatives, the partnership demonstrates how inclusion can be embedded directly into daily operations.

A Value Chain Approach to Gender Equity

Yusen Logistics Argentina is advancing programs to increase the participation of women in heavy transport through targeted training and development initiatives. At the same time, the partnership recognizes that workforce inclusion cannot be achieved in isolation.

Women drivers spend extended periods within port terminals, making it essential that those spaces are designed with safety, comfort, and accessibility in mind. By working together from the outset, DP World in Argentina and Yusen Logistics took a value chain approach — identifying operational pain points and implementing solutions that support women throughout their entire journey, from road to port.

This model reflects a broader shift within logistics, where collaboration across customers, operators, and service providers is essential to creating lasting cultural change.

Why Inclusion Strengthens Logistics Performance

Expanding women’s participation in logistics operations delivers measurable benefits at both organizational and industry levels, including:

• Stronger organizational culture and collaboration
• Broader access to skilled talent in a labor-constrained sector
• Enhanced employer brand and workforce retention
• Increased visibility of role models within port and transport operations
• Deeper integration of ESG principles into daily decision-making

As logistics networks grow more complex, inclusive operating models are increasingly linked to resilience, safety, and long-term competitiveness.

Safer Operations, Smarter Infrastructure

Improving working conditions for women drivers also strengthens outcomes for all terminal users. Safer, better-designed facilities contribute to productivity, wellbeing, and more orderly operations across port environments.

DP World’s terminal in Buenos Aires handles approximately 26% of Argentina’s containerized cargo, making continuous improvement critical to maintaining safe and reliable operations at scale. Infrastructure upgrades that support inclusion also reinforce efficiency — helping optimize rest times, traffic flow, and overall safety within the terminal.

Aligning Inclusion With Global Sustainability Goals

The initiative forms part of DP World’s broader “Our World, Our Future” sustainability strategy and aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals spanning health and well-being, gender equality, and economic growth. It builds upon DP World’s already deep commitment to diversifying the workforce across its Latin American operations – whether that’s a cumulative 200% increase in female employment at Brazil’s Port of Santos or achieving more than 20% female representation in the workforce at Ecuador’s Port of Posorja.

By pairing cross-industry collaboration with tangible operational improvements, DP World is demonstrating how inclusive logistics can be built — not through abstract commitments, but through infrastructure, partnership, and execution.

Learn More

Learn more about DP World’s commitment to gender equality here.